Building a Reliable Business Network with DrayTek

Launching a business today requires a reliable, secure, and scalable network infrastructure. Whether operating a small retail outlet, growing a consultancy, or overseeing multiple sites, your network needs to support cloud services, VoIP, payment systems, and guest Wi-Fi.

In today’s retail environment, the local network is not just a back-office tool; it is the backbone of the entire operation. POS systems, inventory management, EFTPOS, guest Wi-Fi, and security cameras all depend on it. If it fails, transactions can be delayed, customers may walk away, and data could be at risk. For all businesses, including small cafés aiming for a friendly atmosphere, a reliable and secure network is vital.

In our webinar series, we explored how Emma, a café owner, built her café network using DrayTek products. Here is a summary of her methodology and tips for establishing your own café network. This approach can also be adapted to other small-business settings.

Understanding the Business Needs

Emma begins by assessing her business needs, including staff numbers, devices, internet type, Wi-Fi coverage, and security requirements. This evaluation helps her choose the right combination of DrayTek router and switch.

When creating a dependable and secure network, selecting the right router, meeting Wi-Fi standards, and using VLANs to improve security and performance are crucial. Emma’s journey began with her dream of opening a café. After securing a great location, finalising the interior design, and perfecting her menu, she recognised the need for a network that supports smooth operations and security.

Key Considerations:

Type of Internet Connection

This is primarily determined by the location and the availability of services. The type can be an NBN connection, such as VDSL, HFC or fibre. In remote locations, it can be a satellite, wireless or LTE connection.

In our example, Emma opted for a Fibre to the Node (FTTN) connection with a failover option to maintain service continuity if her primary connection were to drop.

User Capacity

The appropriate router model depends on the number of simultaneous users on the network. For fewer than 30 users, a lower-end router such as the Vigor2136 or Vigor2767 is sufficient. For more users, a mid-range business-grade router such as the Vigor2865, Vigor2927, or Vigor2928 is advisable. For networks with more than 100 users, enterprise-grade routers such as the Vigor2962 and Vigor3912 are best suited.

In our example, Emma anticipated about 32 customers connecting to Wi-Fi simultaneously.

Remote Access

We also need to consider the expected number of remote users connecting to the network, as this affects router selection. The number of concurrent VPN connections can range from 2 on basic routers to 500 on enterprise-level devices.

In our example, Emma needed VPN access to her café’s network to manage operations from home.

Choosing the Right Equipment

The DrayTek Vigor2865Lax-5G proved to be the ideal fit for Emma’s café’s needs. This router focuses on security, reliability, and scalability.

This Vigor2865Lax-5G features

• Multi-WAN support
• Built-in Wi-Fi 6 technology
• 5G capability
• VPN support
• 802.1Q VLAN support

This router not only meets immediate requirements but also supports future expansion as the business grows.

Designing the Network Layout

A reliable retail network relies on three key hardware layers: a flexible firewall router as the secure gateway, smart managed switches to distribute high-capacity physical connections, and enterprise wireless access points for fast wireless coverage. In a typical store, these layers must simultaneously support and separate three key operational zones.

1. Corporate Operations & Back-Office: This includes desktop computers, printers, and Network-Attached Storage (NAS), as well as stock management, ordering, accounting, and store management systems.
2. Transaction & Payment Processing: This includes POS machines, self-checkout kiosks, and EFTPOS card terminals. These systems process sensitive cardholder data and must strictly comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which is mandatory in Australia.
3. Guest Services & Amenities: This includes customer Wi-Fi portals, public seating areas, and digital signage.

Small- to medium-sized retailers often mistakenly set up their digital systems on a single, unsegmented local network using consumer-grade hardware. This simple network structure leaves the business vulnerable to two major security risks:

1. Single-Point-of-Failure ISP Outages
   Most retail stores rely on a single fixed-line broadband connection, such as fibre or NBN. If this connection fails due to damaged infrastructure, routing issues, or service provider issues, the store loses all cloud connectivity. For SaaS-based POS and digital checkout systems, an internet outage can halt operations, leading to missed sales, staff disruption, and financial losses. Implementing a backup 4G/5G connection guarantees continuous internet access.
2. Lateral Cyber Attack Propagation
   When guest Wi-Fi and transaction networks share the same broadcast domain, a security breach on a customer’s device or an unpatched IoT camera can easily spread laterally. An attacker connected to an unsegmented guest network can use simple network scanning tools to identify, target, and exploit nearby POS terminals or back-office servers, thereby exposing sensitive financial information or installing ransomware.

Choosing the Right Network Setup

Based on the network layout design points, DrayTek routers provide multiple LAN subnets, VLAN support, VPN capabilities, and robust firewall features. For small businesses, this allows the network to be segmented to accommodate:

• Staff devices
• POS terminals
• Guest Wi Fi
• IoT devices
• Security cameras

This segmentation is essential for performance and security.

Routing between VLAN segments can be blocked or permitted. Additionally, firewall filters are available to regulate data flow between these segments.

For Emma’s café, the main requirements were for two network segments.

• Employee Network: This network uses the IP address range 192.168.88.1 to help safeguard sensitive business data.
• Guest Network: Using the 192.168.11.1 range, the guest network isolates customer traffic from the café’s internal systems.

This configuration ensures safe employee operations while providing customers with a smooth Wi-Fi experience.

Security cameras and IoT devices should be connected to a separate VLAN if they are added to the network. Likewise, a phone system can be placed in its own VLAN segment.

Optimising a Live Business Network

To further enhance the business network’s performance and security, additional steps can be taken. These include:

Creating a WiFi Hotspot

For businesses offering guest Wi-Fi, the DrayTek Hotspot Web Portal offers:

• Custom splash pages
• Time-limited access
• Social login
• Usage tracking

This keeps guest traffic isolated and controlled.

Adding Web Content Filtering

The DrayTek Content Security Management (CSM) can block:

• Adult content
• Social media
• Streaming sites
• Malware domains

This protects staff productivity and reduces security risks.

Prioritising Traffic with quality of service

Quality of Service (QoS) ensures that essential applications such as VoIP, EFTPOS, and video calls receive priority bandwidth. Quality of Service helps to:

• Classify traffic
• Set bandwidth limits
• Prioritise essential services

Bringing It All Together

As discussed in the webinar, Emma’s experience mirrors that of many small business owners. Once her networking requirements were met and the DrayTek router was set up, Emma was on track to establish a secure environment for her café and provide customers with accessible Wi-Fi.

By utilising the DrayTek ecosystem, including routers, switches, access points, and cloud management, businesses can:

• Start simple
• Scale smoothly
• Maintain strong security
• Optimise performance over time

Whether you’re launching your first office or expanding to multiple locations, DrayTek offers the tools and flexibility to build a network that scales with your business. Setting up a business network can feel overwhelming at first, but by understanding your needs, choosing the right equipment, and following a step-by-step installation process, you can create a resilient network that supports growth. As Emma found, with the right approach and tools, your ideal café can become a reality, backed by a dependable and secure network.

Whether you’re starting a new business or upgrading your current network, consider following Emma’s blueprint for success with DrayTek products.